Abstract
Laser ablation is utilized as a means of production of highly reactive chemical species. In the “aser ablation-molecular beam method” developed by the authors, metal ions (M+) laser-ablated from the metal surface are allowed to react with organic or organometallic molecules in a molecular beam injected nearby. A wide variety of novel organometallic ions can be obtained as product ions by this method. Results on amines and benzene are given as examples. Product ions are either the 1: 1 complex ions formed by the direct attachment of metal ions and organic (or organometallic) molecules, or the complex ions formed on the release of some neutrals from the 1: 1 complex ions. The formation mechanisms of these ions are discussed. Many intriguing characteristics in the reactivities of typical and transition metals are brought to light. This method, which is very simple, presents many novel aspects in the organometallic chemistry.
